Before You Go
EGYPT FACTS
Name: Arab Republic of Egypt
Capital: Cairo
Area: 1.001.449 sq km
Population: 80.000.000
Religion: Approximately; Muslim (84%), Coptic Christian (15%) Others (1%)
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +2
Daylight saving start: last Friday in April
Daylight saving end: last Thursday in September
Weights Measures system: Metric
Language: Arabic (official) English is widely spoken
Currency: Egyptian pounds (1 Euro = 7.5LE, 1USD = 5.5LE, 1GBP = 9LE)
People: Egyptians, Bedouin and Nubians
Egypt dialling Code: +20 Sinai: +20 69
Electricity: 220V 50Hz. European plug with two circular metal pins
DAHAB – LOCATION
Dahab is located on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula by the Gulf of Aqaba:
80 km Northeast of Sharm El Sheikh
120 km south of the Taba boarder,
60 km south of Nuweiba
150 km from El Tor,
610 km from Cairo
Nearest Airport: Sharm El Sheikh
Average temperatures Dahab
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Day | 22.8 | 24.6 | 23.9 | 28.1 | 31.8 | 36.2 | 37.4 | 37.1 | 33.2 | 30 | 26.7 | 21.9 |
| Night | 12.2 | 12.5 | 12.2 | 16.7 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 25.8 | 25.1 | 21.2 | 17.6 | 14.7 |
| Sea | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 23 |
Winter sun guaranteed
Average rainfall 6 cm annually
Average temperatures St Catherine
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Day | 16.1 | 18.1 | 17.3 | 23.1 | 29.1 | 31.3 | 32.4 | 32.7 | 30.5 | 24.8 | 21.9 | 15.1 |
| Night | 1.9 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 8.3 | 14 | 16.3 | 18.2 | 20.2 | 17.7 | 12.8 | 9.5 | 6.1 |
Temperature can vary up to 30 degrees from day and night on treks. The daily schedule will change due to temperatures and seasons. In the summer months you will walk in the early mornings and afternoons and have a break in the middle of the day.
TRAVELLING TO DAHAB
Passport
Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of your departure from Egypt. You will need to have at least one empty page for your visa. It is highly recommended to take copies of the pages with your personal information and visa and keep them separate from your passport.
If you loose your passport, you should contact your home country’s embassy in Egypt and the Itchy Feet team straight away. We will assist you with making a police report.
Visa
Depending on which nationality you are you may need a visa when entering Egypt. Please check with the Egyptian Embassy in your home country for more information. You can easily purchase the visa at the airport upon arrival or at the Egyptian Embassy in your home country. To purchase a visa at the airport it will cost you approximately 15 US$. We recommend you to have 15 US$ cash with you to purchase your visa even though there are ATM machines in the arrival hall. The visa is valid for 30 days from your date of arrival.
Some charter airlines offer visa included in the ticket or a free visa with limitations. If a part of your adventure is outside of Dahab, i.e you have booked an Itchy Feet trekking adventure or are planning to dive at the Thistlegorm, go on our mountain bike trips, or visit any of the surrounding National Parks, you will need a visa.
If you are planning to stay in Egypt for more than 30 days (i.e attending our dive master and IDC program), you will need to purchase a separate visa. We highly recommend you to organize a tourist visa for up to one year at the Egyptian embassy in your home country before your arrival. Alternatively you can purchase this visa at Sinai’s passport office in El Tor (approx 2 hour drive from Dahab) for approximately 90 LE. If you are planning to leave the country and come back within 6 months, you will need to have an additional re entry visa valid for up to 6 months for approximately 60 LE.
Visa requirements change periodically so you should check with the Egyptian Embassy in your country before traveling.
Travel Insurance
Make sure that you have valid travel insurance covering all the activities you are planning to join on your adventure. A copy of your travel insurance policy including an emergency contact number should be handed over to the Itchy Feet Team upon arrival.
Adventure Voucher
Upon confirmation of your holiday we will send you an adventure voucher confirming all the details of your holiday. It is your responsibility to confirm all details are correct and let us know of any changes.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to enter Egypt, but Polio, Typhoid and Tetanus vaccinations are recommended. Sometimes Hepatitis A, Diphtheria Hepatitis B and Rabies are recommended. We recommend you to ask your local doctor or travel medicine clinic if in doubt.
Because you visit remote areas on the treks, we kindly ask you to bring a vaccination card if you are joining one of the treks.
Reconfirm return flights
Some flights have to be reconfirmed before departure. Make sure you have a phone number to your airline available, to check if your return flight is rescheduled or delayed.
Airport transfer
Please let us know your flight number, arrival time and departure airport so we can meet you at the airport. If your flight is delayed, we appreciate a text message or phone call to let us know. In the unlikely event you cannot find us at the airport, please send a text message or phone us on; tel no 0020109256350 or 0020164779089.
Lost Luggage
In the unlikely event you loose your luggage during your flight, you should report your luggage lost at the airport before you leave, and inform your insurance company immediately.
Stolen luggage in Dahab should be reported to the local police station before contacting your insurance company.
IN DAHAB
Safety in Dahab
Egypt welcomes millions of tourists every year, and we as residents perceive Dahab as a safe and peaceful destination. The crime rate is low, and even though you should take necessary precautions, staff and locals are always happy to watch valuables while you are swimming and will rarely let you leave their place forgetting your belongings. Sexual assaults are rare. We recommend taking it easy with your alcohol consumption and remember that it’s illegal to drink in non-licensed public areas here. Dahab’s reputation as a “hippie” town with lots of drugs is not accurate anymore, but if you do come across any drugs we strongly advise you not to buy or consume any.
As a company registered in the UK, we recommend you to check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office www.fco.gov.uk for updated general advice on traveling to Egypt.
Accommodation
All of our Adventures include accommodation in a 3 star hotel while you are staying in Dahab. Upgrades to accommodation in a 5 star resort hotel and downgrades to budget accommodation are available upon request. Please remember that there are no international star rating systems, and the star ratings in Egypt might differ from the ones in your home country.
Clothing
Dahab is a diverse community and western habits and fashion are common. However, you will gain more respect if you dress modestly. It’s fine to wear a bikini by the pool or on the beach, but we advise you not to walk along the promenade or in the local town in hot pants and mini skirts.
If you are visiting St Catherine Monastery, you should cover your shoulders and knees. On the treks you are kindly requested to do the same to respect your Bedouin hosts.
Photos
Don’t leave your camera at home; you’ll get lots of great photos on your adventure. However, keep in mind that not everyone likes to be included in your holiday snaps. In respect for local customs and traditions, you should not take photos of woman covering their hair and/or face unless they have agreed – it’s ok to ask!
Photography of or near military official installations is strictly prohibited in Egypt and you should not take photos of officials without their consent.
Money
There are several ATM machines in Dahab, and you can exchange US$, GBP, Euro or travelers cheques in the banks. Normally you will get better exchange rate in Egypt than in your home country, but this is subject to changes. Dahab is a cash community, and credit card payments in shops, restaurants etc are rare. We recommend you to bring a combination of cash and credit card/ travelers cheques.
Tipping
Tipping, or baksheesh, is a part of the culture and day to day life in Egypt. However, tipping is, and should be; a sign of appreciation. Approximately a 10-15% tip is a normal guideline for tipping in restaurants, hotels, drivers, guides etc. You might keep in mind that salaries in Egypt are very low, and many people working in the tourism industry are depending on tips.
Food and Hygiene
The food hygiene standards in Dahab are generally good and cases of food poisoning are very rare. However, because here the bacteria is different from the bacteria in your home country, you might get an upset stomach while you are here.
This is not a serious medical situation, but still uncomfortable and we recommend you to prepare your system with a pro biotic medication before and during your stay. These medications can normally be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription. In some countries there are vaccinations against tourist diarrhea available at your local doctor or travel medicine centre.
We recommend various restaurants in Dahab for their cleanliness and hygiene standards. These restaurants will be pointed out for you when you are here. It is also recommended to bring hygienic wet wipes with you, and make sure you wash your hands properly before you eat.
Water
On an action packed holiday in a warm climate, it is crucial to drink enough water. It is recommended to drink 2-3 liter every day. If you are diving, you should add 1 liter extra per dive, due to the Red Sea’s high salinity (3.6-3.8%). We recommend you to bring re-hydration salts to add to your water as a supplement.
Children are more likely to be dehydrated than adults. The best advice is to limit sweet drinks and make sure they get enough water, choose salty snacks rather than sweets and stay in the shade in the middle of the day.
Use only bottled mineral water for drinking, brushing your teeth, cooking and washing food. A 1.5 liter bottle of mineral water costs approx 2.50 LE.
Toilet paper
The sewerage system in the Sinai is not designed for toilet paper. If you flush toilet paper down the toilette it is likely to get caught in the pipes and block the sewerage system. Please use the bins provided. You’ll not find toilet paper in all bathrooms, so it is handy to have a roll spare in your bag.
Local transfers
All transfers needed for your adventure are included in the price of your holiday. If you wish to take additional taxis to and from town in your free time, jeeps and pick up trucks can be easily flagged down around town. Feel free to ask us for advice on how much a taxi fare should cost. Please note that traffic standards are different from home and a taxi in Dahab means a pick up or jeep.
VENTURE IN DAHAB
Adventure sport safety
Your safety is paramount during your adventure. All diving activities take place from a PADI dive center operating under International PADI standards and Egyptian CDWS standards that meet ISO. All free diving takes place from a free diving training center and AIDA school operating under International AIDA standards. All treks take place in the Sinai mountains with local guides trained in GPS and certified in ITC level 2 in out door first aid.
Medical statement forms
There are medical statement forms that you will need to complete for your chosen sports. To save your precious holiday time and make sure you can complete the adventure, we recommend you to fill out the form prior to arrival. In case of any possible complications, you should consult a specialized doctor in your home country. If you don’t have any specialized doctors near you, the doctors at Dahab Hyperbaric Chamber are available when you are here. It is your responsibility to make us aware, at the time of booking, of any existing medical conditions which may affect your adventure.
WHAT TO BRING
Adventure Voucher
Passport
Copy of travel insurance policy
Tel number to your airline
Itchy Feet tel numbers
Medical statement forms with doctor’s signature in case of any possible complications
Sun lotion & toiletries
Lip balm
After sun
Probiotics
Hygienic wet wipes
Personal medications – you might not find the same products here
Clothing: Winter: warm clothes for cold evenings, Summer: loose fitting clothing ideally cotton
UV protective sunglasses
Swim wear
Camera/Video camera (Video cameras must be declared upon arrival)
Converters
Hygienic wet wipes
Anti bacterial medication
First aid kit
Insect repellent 30% DEET
Day bag
DIVING
PADI Manuals
Despite our “no hidden costs” policy, the manuals for PADI courses are not included in the price. This is to give you the choice between the printed manuals and the new e-learning version. The e-learning programs are available for Open Water and Advanced Open Water (e-learning for Enriched Air Specialty coming soon). It is a great option if you would like to get the theory done prior to arrival and have more time to enjoy your holiday, but are more expensive than the printed manuals.
You have both options in the enquiry form, and will receive the necessary details and information for getting started with your e-learning together with your booking confirmation. When you have completed the e-learning program, you will receive a receipt which you will have to bring with you.
PADI manuals can also be purchased upon arrival, please check with us for the current price.
Equipment
As a certified diver it is your responsibility to make sure your equipment is safe and well maintained. If you bring your own equipment, you should get it serviced by your manufacturer as per their advice. You can leave the gloves at home as gloves are forbidden in the Red Sea. Please note that most airlines apply an extra charge for sports equipment.
What to bring on diving adventures
PADI Manual or receipt for completed e-learning – manuals can be purchased on site
Equipment if you have - subject to price reduction for fun dive packages
Completed PADI medical form with permission to dive from a doctor if needed
FREE DIVING
What to bring on free diving adventures
Suit, mask and fins – The Itchy Feet free diving center will provide equipment if you need it
Completed AIDA medical form
TREKKING
Accommodation on the Treks
Part of the trekking adventure is to sleep under the stars on desert soil in the traditional Bedouin way. A basic camp will be set up to provide shade and a camp fire. We recommend you bring insect repellent for the evenings. In the winter time, the temperatures can go below 0 degrees, so make sure your sleeping bag is designed for low temperatures and bring warm clothes for the evenings.
Food & Drinks on the treks
The food on the treks is a variety of local and traditional cuisine. Breakfast is a wide spread of delights with freshly made bread, cooked on the fire. A cold lunch is supplied with plenty of “Bedouin tea” – black tea with herbs. For dinner you will try out local dishes, and if you have any special dietary requirements it is important that you let us know.
You’ll take bottles of mineral water with you when you start the trek, and these will be refilled in the fresh wells along the trek. If you would rather not drink well water, please let us know and we will do our best to provide an alternative.
What to bring on treks
Head protection from the sun ie a sun hat or cap
Sandals or flip flops
Walking shoes, recommended none leather with ankle support, not new
Long trousers, light weight
Shorts, knee length for ladies
Fleece for the evenings
Cold weather gear
Warm hat
Towel or sarong
Wet wipes
Tampons for ladies
Torch and batteries, head lamp highly recommended
Sleeping bag 3+ season, 2 season bag for summer months
Sleeping bag liner
Pen knife
Sun block in addition to sun protection
Zip lock bag for protecting camera
4 passport photos
Batteries for camera and torches (batteries in Egypt are not very good)
Large bag 60 liter plus also bring a smaller bag (30 liter) to carry while you walk
Vaccination card
Money